Jabalpur: A habeas corpus petition was on Tuesday filed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court against "illegal" arrest of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Medha Patkar by the police in Chhindwara.

The petition was filed by social worker Anurag Modi. Modi said Patkar was arrested on Monday from the residence of advocate Aradhna Bhargava in Chhindwara, where she had gone to pay her condolences following the death of the lawyer's mother.

Patkar's arrest was "illegal" as the police had not given any reason for their action, Modi said. The NBA leader was taken into custody from Bhargava's residence. Hence, there was no question of her having violated provisions of CrPC Section 144, which is in force in Chhindwara district, Modi's counsel Raghvendra Kumar said.

The petition was filed with the HC registry and the matter would be listed before an appropriate Bench tomorrow, he added. Meanwhile, a report from Chhindwara said Patkar, lodged in a jail, has not eaten anything since her arrest. Doctors are regularly examining her health condition.

Patkar has demanded that she be released unconditionally from the jail and action be taken against police officials who "misbehaved" while arresting her. The veteran activist said she should be allowed to visit Pench river project site, where a dam has been planned, and sought adequate compensation for the project-affected people.